The Race For the Chase Continues

Who Can Surpass Johnson?

This week, at Martinsville not much changed in the point standings. Denny Hamlin may have won the race but not enough to catch up to Jimmie Johnson in championship points. With only a few weeks left in the championship chase it still is up to a few drivers to catch Jimmie Johnson.

There only about five or six drivers left that can surpass Jimmie since some drivers are really having some bad luck.

The penalty to Clint Bowyer's team virtually eliminated him from the chase in week one. Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch are the only ones I really think have a shot at winning the title.

Can Jeff Gordon Come from Behind?

This week we're coming to Talladega where things can change in a hurry. It is always dangerous to race on a restricted plated track during the chase; it's very easy to get caught up in somebody else's wreck and have a bad day. Some drivers are better on restricted plate races: Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Junior come to mind. Right now Jeff Gordon is 203 points behind the leader and he needs a win badly. We may just see that win on Sunday. After the way Junior race last week it wouldn't surprise me if he wins.

We all know that I'm a Jimmie Johnson fan, but I wouldn't mind seeing Jeff Gordon win also. It certainly would tighten up the race a little bit and that would be a good thing for NASCAR. Kyle Busch made up some ground last week and so did Jeff Burton, but I think Jeff is too far out of the race with only a handful of starts left.

NASCAR in Ratings Trouble

With the NFL season started NASCAR needs the race to the chase to be as close as possible for good ratings and attendance. Speaking of ratings, NASCAR has to make it easier for the fans to find out what channel the races are on. I am often confused and I follow the sport whether the races on ESPN, the speed Channel, Fox, or TNT. I can only imagine what a new fan is thinking when trying to find the race! Sometimes I'm flicking through the channels and all of a sudden I find an authorities and ARCA race that I didn't know was on.

Jamie McMurray Stays Put

Well it looks like Jamie McMurray is going to stay at Earnhardt Ganassi racing. Word is he is going to sign an extension and stay where he is. That's what happens when you win a few races. In this day and age it's hard to hook up with a successful team. You might as well just stay where you are and have been successful. That team seems to be a good fit for Jamie and I wish them luck.

-Vinny

Read more from Vinny at Awesome Race Fans

Photo Credit: Hans J E